MOBILITY MATTERS


WOLVERHAMPTON-LICENSED PH DRIVER STRIPPED OF LICENCE FOR REFUSING TO TAKE GUIDE DOG


A taxi driver cancelled a trip and left a blind passenger on the side of the road after spotting their guide dog. Ramesh Mahesan has now had his licence revoked for failing to carry the assistance dog. His licence


was issued by


Wolverhampton Council, which launched an investigation after the victim complained following the incident in June last year. The passenger said when Mr Mahesan arrived at the location in Coventry, he spotted the assist-


ance dog and “immediately left”. He then cancelled the trip, the booking was assigned to a new driver, who got the victim home. The passenger’s version of events was confirmed by their assistant, who was travelling with them. Mr Mahesan’s licence was revoked by Dudley Magistrates’ Court in April. An appeal against that decision was dismissed after he failed to attend at court, where he was also ordered to pay £940 costs. Cllr Craig Collingswood, cabinet


member for city environment, said: “Leaving a vulnerable passenger on the side of the road is inexcusable. When licensing drivers, it is made very clear that it is a legal obligation to carry assistance animals at no extra cost. “As a council, we strive to ensure the best possible service and this scenario is deeply upsetting. Due to the serious nature of the complaint, we no longer consider Mr Mahesan to be a fit and proper person to hold a PHV licence.”


DRIVER OF PHV FINED FOR ILLEGALLY REFUSING ACCESS TO LINCOLNSHIRE GUIDE DOG OWNER


A guide dog owner in Lincolnshire has talked about the discrimin- ation he faces - including being refused entry into a PHV. Last June, Brian Lawson, 63, was visiting Manchester and called a private hire company to take him back to where he was staying. He let the controller know he had a guide dog with him and said he was told that was fine. However, when the driver arrived, it was a different story. Mr Lawson said: “The taxi turned up and immediately the driver leaned out the window and said, ‘not taking him,’ referring to my guide dog Giles. I explained that Giles was a guide dog and that we could not be turned away. The driver repeated, ‘not taking him,’ and said he would call his boss. He then drove off. “I was left stranded with my dog in the boiling heat for ten minutes.” Though the company quickly


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arranged for another driver to collect Mr Lawson, he said he still felt discriminated against. Mr Lawson reported the incident to Manchester City Council, after he was reportedly told by the company he would need to in order to escalate his complaint. A spokesperson named the driver as Shams Ur Rehman, of Stockport, and said: “The investigation we undertook revealed sufficient evid- ence to bring criminal proceedings under the Equality Act 2010. No reasonable excuse was offered by the driver for his refusal. Crucial


evidence was provided by the passenger without whom we could not have proceeded. “A summons was issued and at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on May 18, the driver pleaded guilty for which credit was given.” Rehman was fined £107, with £300 costs to the council, and a victim surcharge of £43. Mr Lawson said: “It’s like you’re telling people what’s allowed. It’s ridiculous, and it makes you feel like a second-class citizen. It’s not my fault I’m going blind.” He added: “I’m fortunate I have some sight, but I can’t imagine how tough it would be for someone who is fully blind.” According to the charity Guide Dogs, the ‘vast majority’ of guide dog owners have had similar experiences to Mr Lawson. More than 80% have been refused access to venues because they’ve been accompanied by their dog.


JULY 2023 PHTM


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